Well given that summer is here and in Canada is does feel very fleeting, I thought it timely to write a few ideas on how we can slow down time (this summer -- or really any season) so that we can enjoy more of it while it's here. I'm working hard on each of these myself. This isn't about mastering them at once, but rather living in these strategies as best we can daily so that we become more aware in the moments and make the most of them.

5 Ways to Slow Down Time This Summer (or any season):

1. Focus Time:

Multitasking and distractions are big time thieves. We allow these thieves into our lives -- daily. We juggle activities; answer emails ad hoc at every ting; invite or allow distractions of all kinds to intrude. Not only do these habits make your valuable time less productive (yes, less), it also zaps your energy because multitasking spends way more brain energy then focused thinking.

Conversely focus brings the gift of fueling ourselves. Focus fuels our brain capacity and creativity; energizes us and keeps us sharp. And with the right kind of focus activity, it can put us in a state of flow -- a delicious state that leads to more engagement, well-being and happiness and a feeling of time 'well-spent'. And while time in flow can fly by (we get lost in time) this is usually a good, energizing 'time-goes-'fast' experience vs. a depleting fast. And you can likely get more done. Those flow states usually involve using your top strengths. See here for a past blog post about strengths and flow ("Why the Lizard Wouldn't Eat").

These days, there's so much to juggle with the loads of work and life but there's plenty of opportunity to rein in the gratuitous multitasking and distractions and ramp up a bit more of focus time in your day. Maybe it's taking 20 minutes of uninterrupted time to write that report or think about a plan or start to flesh out a creative idea. Outside of work it might be falling into a great book or a personal hobby. Practise with pockets of focus time this summer and see if you experience a shift in how you feel about time. Read about multitasking in an excerpt from my book, Ease.

2. Get Present:

While this idea is related to focus, it deserves its own mention. How often do we allow our minds to be someplace other than where we actually meant to be? Perhaps you are at a meeting but thinking about something else (the work that beckons? or concern about another matter). Or away from work (family time, friends, etc.) but your supposedly 'off' time gets robbed as you worry or think about something else. Did you miss your son's winning pitch at the baseball game because you were on your smart phone dealing with work?

Reality can certainly pull us away at times but if you can catch yourself in a reactive (and unnecessary) moment of 'inattention' and shift to a state of attention you will overcome an insidious robber of our time. From tuned out to tuned in -- you will likely be rewarded with more moments that you truly wouldn't want to miss this summer.

3. Reality Test Your To Do List:

I'm often guilty of putting too many things on my to-do list and when I do that I know this can trigger the perception of 'not enough time' which is an energy drain to say the least. Keep that 'not enough time' gremlin at bay and take a harder look at your own expectations of what can get done in any given period of time. Learn to right-size your daily (and weekly, monthly) goals and to-do's. This will also invite you to learn to say 'no' more often.

4. Leave Margins:

Using time wisely doesn't imply you should pack in activities to the fullest of your day's capacity. In fact, the opposite is what many of us need. Leave margins to 'get there', 'do that', or deal with contingencies (traffic, etc) -- or just to think and recharge your batteries. This will give you more spaciousness and a feeling of enough time vs. not enough. And paradoxically, you will probably get more done and do it better as a result.

To do this well, learn to master your schedule better: deliberately leave some 'white space' around the edges (and in other places); make space for breaks to recharge (even tiny ones help) -- even when it is 'crazy busy'.

5. Choose Joy Over Angst:

Well, nothing robs us of quality time more than negativity (worry, frustration, angst). A day in a funk is a day wasted. Sure, stuff concerns us, challenges us, gets us down -- but focusing only on the negativity will guarantee to feed into the 'scarcity of time' experience.

Instead, learn to master the art of positivity -- and make room for it especially during times of duress. This will not only build your capacity to deal with the tough issues and even boost your ability to generate more positive outcomes --- it will also give you back ownership of your time. By having the choice of how you want to be at any given moment, you 'own the moment'.

Enjoy panoramic, up-close views of everything from rugged coastlines to the magnificent Rocky Mountains during one of the most famous long-distance journeys in the world. A one-way trip from Vancouver to Toronto takes about four days and includes stops in stunning cities such as Jasper, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

From the West Coast Trail in British Columbia to the Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland, there are plenty of hikes to keep you fit all summer long. Breaking up the trails into day trips is the easiest way to complete the journey since most will take anywhere from four to eight days to complete.

Soak up scenic drives along the Atlantic coast then stop for scrumptious seafood and freshly-brewed beer. Set aside at least one week to explore the seaside villages, historic cities and unique architecture along with popular spots like the Bay of Fundy, which has the world’s highest tides.

Experience all that natural wonders like Haida Gwaii have to offer by cycling from one end to the other. Whether you make this a weekend or full-week trip, you're bound to find hidden gems more beautiful than you can imagine.

Over half of Canada is covered in forests, woodland and areas covered by trees, like the incredible Great Bear Rainforest. Get lost for the day, deep in between the towering trees and then set up your tent at a local campsite at night for a true outdoor adventure.

From folk in the west to country in the prairies and jazz in the east, there are plenty of summer sounds to get you moving. While some festivals last one or two weeks you can choose your favourite of the days to attend.

Canadian breweries are becoming a popular weekend spot in many big cities. Quench your thirst on a scorching hot day at one nearby then sneak some more with a growler to bring to the beach.

Find a cheap flight up north and prepare to be surprised by pristine natural beauty at its finest. Take at least one week to experience the Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut when the snow has melted and the stunning, sparsely populated landscapes are visible.

There are hundreds of fascinating falls across Canada to choose from and the view is always better from the top. Find one in a park or forest nearby and make a day trip out of the hike.

Spend a weekend or longer relaxing to the simple sound of untouched nature at a cottage (or cabin if you're outside of Ontario). You'll leave feeling rejuvenated and maybe even inspired by nature’s simplicity.

Spend the day practising one of Canada’s most popular pastimes and you may be rewarded with a spectacular seafood dinner. You can also take a weekend trip to one of the country’s many fishing lodges or gorgeous resorts.

Whether it’s your first time or your tenth time, these world-renowned mountains will never fail to make your jaw drop. The drive from Vancouver to Jasper will take roughly 9 hours, perfect for a weekend getaway.

On a cooler day, you can warm up inside geothermal groundwater while admiring breathtaking outdoor beauty. You can even spend the weekend at a spa connected to the hot springs if you are in need of some natural pampering.

Take a trip through B.C.’s Okanagan, Ontario’s Niagara region or Nova Scotia’s countryside for a taste of Canada's wine country and all the distilleries in between. Spend the day sipping away and the night at a scenic hotel, like the Olde Latern Inn in Grand Pré, N.S..

With millions of lakes and thousands of rivers to choose from, you can go kayaking, rafting, canoeing, surfing, wakeboarding and paddle boarding for hours under the sun. Rent out your water equipment for the day and get ready for a workout full of fun.

Each Canadian province and territory has at least one national park with plenty of picturesque pit stops to snack at. For the adventurous, make an overnight trip out of it with a tent, campfire and mandatory s'mores.

Spend an afternoon admiring the mighty creatures living in Canada’s untamed landscapes. Join a tour group and head to the East or West Coast for whale watching. Want to stay dry? Take to B.C. or Alberta and get familiar with critters like this bull moose in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Start early in the morning so you'll make it back down the mountain before dark. A hard workout is easier and safer when you can turn your head and take in the stunning sights during daylight hours.

If you can't make it to them, let them come to you. Taste Canada's abundance of agriculture with a trip to a farmer's market and sample locally-grown produce or home-baked goods.

Set aside one week to cross a few fantastic provinces or take one month to road trip through the entire country on one of the world’s longest highways. Start in Canada’s oldest city, St. John’s, Newfoundland and go all the way to Vancouver, B.C. where you can catch the ferry to Victoria.